SENIOR Tories have demanded the Government stop attacking local councils – warning David Cameron if the criticism continues, it could hit the party’s re-election campaign.

Thirty-one leading Conservative councillors, including at least two from this region, have signed a private letter urging the Prime Minister to stop “patronising language” being used to attack those who “work extraordinary long hours for our communities”.

The leaked four-page letter says: “It is important that you understand how disappointed and even angry local activists are and how many might not be there when we need them as electoral foot soldiers.”

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North Yorkshire County Council leader John Weighell and Richard Bell, Tory group leader at Labour-run Durham County Council, denied the letter represented a threat to withdraw support.

But Councillor Weighell said top Tory councillors were “concerned about the bad publicity coming to councils from some ministers” and Coun Bell said there was “a lot of concern” about how local government was being treated.

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In their letter, the councillors say they are concerned over some government policy affecting local government, its accompanying rhetoric and the effect on “our people”.

They slam “ill-informed and anecdote-based general criticism and sometimes highly inaccurate personal attacks” and say they are worried about any weakening between the “parliamentary leadership and the party’s active local members”.

Coun Bell said: “I’ve been supportive of efforts by the (Durham) county council and Anec (Association of North East Councils) to bring to the Government’s attention the particularly high level of cuts that have been coming through to the North-East and Durham. I make no secret of that or apology for that.

“Local government has been getting a tough deal from the Government and local government in the North-East has been getting a very tough deal. I see it as my role to advocate the needs of the people of County Durham to central Government.”

He added: “We are supportive of the Government and will be working hard come the next General Election to secure a Conservative government.

“That doesn’t mean we’re prepared to sit back and take everything without comment or reply, particularly if it’s an unfair criticism or policy.”

The tories have elevated abusive rhetoric to a fine art. They will reap what they sow. At last grassroots tories have realised that putting the boot into local councils and thereby the ordinary decent hardworking people who serve the public is a surefire way to lose an election. Ive never come across such a rightwing government intent on ripping the heart out of this country than this bunch. Shame on you.

The tories have elevated abusive rhetoric to a fine art. They will reap what they sow. At last grassroots tories have realised that putting the boot into local councils and thereby the ordinary decent hardworking people who serve the public is a surefire way to lose an election. Ive never come across such a rightwing government intent on ripping the heart out of this country than this bunch. Shame on you.Gamechanger

The tories have elevated abusive rhetoric to a fine art. They will reap what they sow. At last grassroots tories have realised that putting the boot into local councils and thereby the ordinary decent hardworking people who serve the public is a surefire way to lose an election. Ive never come across such a rightwing government intent on ripping the heart out of this country than this bunch. Shame on you.

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Homshaw1 says...12:08pm Thu 24 Jan 13

There are plenty of reasons they could lose the next election and their cut backs in local councils isn't top of the list

There are plenty of reasons they could lose the next election and their cut backs in local councils isn't top of the listHomshaw1

There are plenty of reasons they could lose the next election and their cut backs in local councils isn't top of the list

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Idontknowaboutyoubut says...7:01pm Thu 24 Jan 13

They wont be around after the May elections anyway,never mind the General Election.Cam&co,dont care about the North,and dont it show?

They wont be around after the May elections anyway,never mind the General Election.Cam&co,dont care about the North,and dont it show?Idontknowaboutyoubut

They wont be around after the May elections anyway,never mind the General Election.Cam&co,dont care about the North,and dont it show?

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